them, and gave them water from a rock; and at last, after Moses' death, He conducted them into Chanaan, or Palestine, the promised land, which they conquered with His powerful assistance, and divided into twelve parts, giving one of them to each of the twelve tribes.
- All this was a figure of the future salvation of mankind. 1 Cor. X. 6. The deliverance from the bondage of Egypt signifies our liberation from the slavery of Satan by Jesus Christ. The journey through the wilderness signifies our pilgrimage in this world, where God gives us His laws, nourishes us with the true Bread of Heaven, and strengthens us with the life-giving fountains of grace. The land of promise refers us to Heaven, which we can conquer and take possession of only after combating the world, the flesh, and the devil.
13. [1]In this beautiful country the Israelites lived happy, and were blessed by God, until, contrary to His express command, they united themselves by marriage to the Gentiles, or Pagans, and thereby fell again into vice and idolatry. As often as they turned away from God He abandoned them to their enemies; but when they returned to Him, He raised among them pious heroes called Judges, such as Gedeon, Jephte, and Samson, who rescued them from their foes.
14. [2]For more than four hundred years the people of Israel were ruled by the high-priests and Judges, who were invested with supreme authority over them; but at length they desired to be governed, like the neighboring nations, by a king. In compliance with their wish, God appointed Saul to be their king, and the
- ↑ How long did the Israelites remain happy in the promised land? What happened to them when they offended God? How did God help them when they repented?
- ↑ Who were the first rulers of the people of Israel? How long were they governed by them? Who was the first King of Israel? Wliy was he rejected by God? By whom was he succeeded? What can you tell me of David? Was he also pious?Why are his Psalms so very remarkable? Why is Christ also called the Son of "David?
